Even though we’re not living through the Great Depression, it sure feels like it, doesn’t it? The headlines are depressing. The economy stinks. Businesses are closing. Families are losing their homes. Things are a mess in Washington.

If you’re like me, I’m sure you know someone who is having a really rough time right now. Someone who has lost his job. Someone who has been dealing with a serious illness in her family. Someone who has lost a loved one. Someone who is battling cancer. Someone who has a teenage child that’s bringing strife to the family. Someone who has a tyrannical boss. Someone who is feeling alone and depressed.

Life is a challenge and can very often be quite overwhelming. We all know people who are suffering. Family members. Loved ones. Friends. Neighbors. Co-workers. Fellow church goers.

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could bring a little joy into their life and put a smile on their face?

Well, I would like to try to help. My name is Anthony DeStefano. You may have heard of me because I’ve written a few books, two of them for children: Little Star and This Little Prayer of Mine. And several for adults: A Travel Guide to Heaven, Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To, and The Invisible World.

I’m not new to suffering. Over the years I’ve dealt with a lot of it. Especially family illnesses. Without going into any details, I can only say that it’s been a rough few years for me. During that time, I’ve done my best to cheer up the people closest to me. Sometimes I’ve been successful, and sometimes not. But through it all, I kept remembering that old saying: “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

So I stopped talking and put together a little book filled with adorable pictures of children reacting to all that life has to throw at them. Then I came up with some captions which I thought seemed light and inspirational, but at the same time had a deeper message—a message of spiritual consolation—and I gave the book to some of my family and friends who were hurting.

I’m happy to say that the reaction I got was always the same. Slowly, as they turned the pages, I noticed that they began to grin. By the time they turned to the last page of the book, looked at the last picture, and read the last caption, that tiny grin had become a big smile. And the look on their faces told me that, if only for a moment, they’d been able to put their troubles behind them and allow these children to remind them of just how beautiful life truly is and how much God loves them and cares for them.

It was then that I realized that I had to share this little book with others who are feeling down and need a quick spiritual pick-me-up. Well, the book is called I Just Can’t Take It Anymore! and it is being published by Harvest House Press in just a few weeks!

Can a small, slim book change your life? This one can! Pairing hilarious photos of children with beautifully simple words, I Just Can’t Take it Anymore will cheer up even the most discouraged people. In a lighthearted yet profound way, Anthony DeStefano, author of the bestseller, A Travel Guide to Heaven, conveys the essence of the JudeoChristian teaching on suffering, all the while making readers laugh out loud and sigh “Aww.”

At once straightforward and funny and yet deeply moving, the book depicts challenges we all face: “Messy” lives, feelings of loss, abandonment, frustration, and despair. Then, step by step, DeStefano gently nudges readers into seeing the whole picture—life with all its beauties, joys, challenges and pleasures.

“Sometimes people just need to be reminded that there are always things to be grateful for. No one ever has to suffer alone,” said DeStefano, a best-selling author whose previous books include Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To, The Invisible World, and two award-winning children’s
books, This Little Prayer of Mine and Little Star.

If you think you know someone who might be able to benefit from this book, or if you, yourself, would like to read it, please goto book order page to pre-order the book from Amazon.com. Thank you very much!

- – - written by Anthony DeStefano

Book: The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

Downloads

What On Earth Am I Here For? (PDF with the first 7 chapters)

Guide to Purpose Driven Life (PDF with a daily reading plan)

Book Review

A groundbreaking manifesto on the meaning of life.

The most basic question everyone faces in life is Why am I here? What is my purpose?

Self-help books suggest that people should look within, at their own desires and dreams, but Rick Warren says the starting place must be with God and his eternal purposes for each life. Real meaning and significance comes from understanding and fulfilling God’s purposes for putting us on earth.

The Purpose-Driven Life takes the groundbreaking message of the award-winning Purpose-Driven Church and goes deeper, applying it to the lifestyle of individual Christians. This book helps readers understand God’s incredible plan for their lives. Warren enables them to see the big picture of what life is all about and begin to live the life God created them to live.

The Purpose-Driven Life is a manifesto for Christian living in the 21st century…a lifestyle based on eternal purposes, not cultural values. Using biblical stories and letting the Bible speak for itself, Warren clearly explains God’s five purposes for each of us:-

1. We were planned for God’s pleasure, so your first purpose is to offer real worship.
2. We were formed for God’s family, so your second purpose is to enjoy real fellowship.
3. We were created to become like Christ, so your third purpose is to learn real discipleship.
4. We were shaped for serving God, so your fourth purpose is to practice real ministry.
5. We were made for a mission, so your fifth purpose is to live out real evangelism.

This long-anticipated book is the life-message of Rick Warren, founding pastor of Saddleback Church. Written in a captivating devotional style, the book is divided into 40 short chapters that can be read as a daily devotional, studied by small groups, and used by churches participating in the nationwide 40 Days of Purpose campaigns.

It all starts with God. It’s not about you. The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.

Download both the PDFs given above. The guide to purpose driven life will be a great help to plan your reading of the book. The other PDF with the first 7 chapters (total 40 chapters) is the best place to start, to know what this great book by Rick Warren has to offer you.

Want to buy this book? Goto Buy Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren

Handle with Prayer by Dr. Charles Stanley

Cultivating a Prayer Life that Makes a Difference

Why do Christians so often fail to open the gift of prayer that God has given to them? God desires to communicate with His children. He desires to unveil the hidden. Yet many times we are satisfied not knowing. In this revised and refreshed edition of Dr. Charles Stanley’s Handle with Prayer, readers will be inspired to revive their time of prayer with God.

Prayer is essential to the life of every believer. It connects us with our heavenly Father and opens the door for Him to move in our lives, to impact our circumstances, and to help us make wise choices. Handle with Prayer is a definitive guide to the power and practice of prayer. This modern-day classic is a must-read for anyone craving a rich, intimate prayer life that produces results.

God wants to help us through difficulties and to reveal the unseen. Yet few of us would claim to have a satisfying prayer life. Dr. Stanley reveals that prayer is the ultimate resource for every believer. Inside he shares:

• How to pray with authority
• How to receive answers to prayer
• Why prayers can seem to go unanswered
• How to pray in God’s will
• How to pray for others

Originally released in 2000, this book has already sold over 250,000 copies and now it features new artwork, an enhanced study guide, and updated content to connect with today’s readers. Using stories from his own life, Dr. Stanley engages readers with his insight and truthfulness.

According to Dr. Stanley, “Jesus encourages us to pray. He tells us to ask, seek, and knock. We ask for things, we seek understanding, and we knock on doors of opportunity that lie before us. The Lord is saying that in every area of life we can find what we are looking for by talking to the heavenly Father.”

The included study guide offers key insights that can enhance your journey in prayer and help you apply principles that can revolutionize your time spent with God. So uncover God’s solution for whatever you may face and discover how life is best when handled with prayer.

About the Author:

Dr. Charles F. Stanley, senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of Atlanta and founder of In Touch Ministries, demonstrates a keen awareness of people’s needs by providing practical Biblical truths for everyday life.

Dr. Stanley is also a New York Times best-selling author who has written more than 35 books, including: In Step with God, Landmines in the Path of the Believer, Living the Extraordinary Life, A Man’s Touch, Handle With Prayer, How to Listen to God, Eternal Security: Can You Be Sure?, The Gift of Forgiveness, How to Keep Your Kids on Your Team, The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life, The Source of My Strength, How to Handle Adversity, The Blessing of Brokenness, Success God’s Way, The Handbook for Christian Living, Into His Presence, and When Tragedy Strikes.